Good morning, everyone, and welcome to another working week. We hope the weekend respite was relaxing and invigorating, because that oh-so familiar routine of online calls, meetings, and deadlines has predictably returned. But what can you do? The world, such as it is, continues to spin. To nudge it in a better direction, we are firing up the coffee kettle to brew another cup of stimulation. Our choice today is pistachio creme. Please feel free to join us. Meanwhile, here are a few tidbits for you to peruse as you start your journey, which we hope is meaningful and productive. Have a wonderful day, and do keep in touch. …
Novo Nordisk’s obesity drug Wegovy notably cut the risk of heart attacks in a landmark cardiovascular trial that affirms the treatment offers health benefits beyond weight loss, STAT tells us. In August, the company announced the results of the trial, called Select, found Wegovy reduced the overall rate of major heart problems — heart attacks, stroke, or cardiovascular-related death — by 20%. That finding, which was the primary outcome, was stronger than many were expecting. But details, including risk reductions for each specific heart complication, were not released until Saturday, when they were presented as the first major session of the American Heart Association conference.
Novo Nordisk, which has dominated the diabetes and obesity markets with its blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, now also wants to be a major player in heart disease, STAT writes. The landmark Select trial – which showed Wegovy significantly cut the risk of heart complications – is just one of many efforts by the drugmaker to expand into the cardiovascular space. The company, which for much of its history was singularly dedicated to making insulin and treating diabetes, is also developing several treatments specific to heart disease and is acquiring a medication for high blood pressure.